Celebrate the underrated film’s anniversary by reflecting on the inspired ending
Every hero has an origin story.
For Eminem, it was8 Mile, Curtis Hansons semi-biographical film based on the Detroit rappers rise to fame.
And like every superhero movie, it builds to an epic final battle.
Well, battles in this case.
Upon the release of8 Mileon Nov. 8, 2002, Eminem was at the height of his powers.
1 hit Lose Yourself.
B-Rabbit, a talented MC who lacks confidence and resources.
B-Rabbit works a blue-collar job and recently moved back into his mothers (Kim Basinger!)
trailer, where he constantly bumps heads with her abusive boyfriend (Michael Shannon!!).
Along the way, B-Rabbit meets and loses a girl named Alex (Brittany Murphy!!!)
in his film debut.
Now, Ive never been to a rap battle (shocking, right?
I know everything hes about to say against me, he raps midway through his verse.
I am a fing bum.
I do live in a trailer with my mom.
My boy Future (there is a Mekhi Phifer!)
is an Uncle Tom.
I did get jumped by all six of you chumps.
And Wink (Eugene Byrd) did f my girl.
Im still standing here screaming f the Free World.
And after demolishing himself, he moves onto his rival.
This guys a gangsta?
His real names Clarence, he says of Papa Doc.
And Clarence lives at home with both parents, and Clarences parents have a real good marriage.
F yall if you doubt me.
Im a piece of fing white trash, I say it proudly.
F this battle, I dont want to win.
I dont know if Papa Doc was always going to end up speechless,Eminem previously told Grantland.
I had to leave him how he left Rabbit earlier in the movie.
And I think the plan was always at the end for me to start dissing myself.
Because thats what I actually did in battles to try and take peoples ammo away.
Dissing himself and his on-camera challengers wasnt where it ended, though.
According to Grantland, an unused montage was filmed of B-Rabbit advancing through the competition.
He was getting a reaction from the crowd and I felt like I had to respond.
I guess that instinct never goes away.
Clearly.Just ask Donald Trump.
